MSO Master’s Degree Programme in Sociology

1 Master s Degree Programme in Sociology Assignment July 2021 and January 2022 sessions Assignment for the Core Courses: MSO-001: Sociological Theories and Concepts MSO-002: Research Methodologies and Methods MSO-003: Sociology of Development MSO-004: Sociology in India FACULTY OF Sociology SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES INDIRA GANDHI NATIONAL OPEN UNIVERSITY MAIDAN GARHI, NEW DELHI-110 068 MSO First Year Sociology 1 Course Code: MSO Assignment Code: MSO-001, 002, 003, 004/AST/TMA/2021-2022 ASSIGNMENTS Dear Student We have explained in the Programme Guide for the Master s Degree Programme in Sociology (MA Sociology ) that you would have to complete one Tutor Marked Assignment TMAs) for each of the courses. In these assignments, we have included several types of questions to sharpen your ability, to describe, to analyse and to critique, and to ensure that you know and are able to write over a topic systematically and coherently. In these assignments there are some broad descriptive and analytical questions.

2 There are 10 questions in each assignment, with two sections. In each section there are five questions. Your answers for a broad question worth 20 marks should be within the approximate range of 500 words each. In case of short question worth 10 marks it should be within 250 words each. It could be advisable to have a group discussion on the questions with your co-learners and the Academic Counsellors in the study Centres before you attempt these assignments. Remember you are encouraged only to share each other s ideas and not to copy answers at all. Group discussion and constant practice of writing answers to assignment questions will help you to write better answers to questions in the term-end examination. It is important that you write answers to all questions in your own words. Admission Cycle Date of Submission To be sent For students admitted in July 2021 Batch 31st March, 2022 To, The Coordinator of the study Centre allotted to you For students admitted in January 2022 Batch 30th September, 2022 You must obtain a receipt from the study Centre for the assignments submitted and retain it.

3 If possible, keep a xerox copy of the assignments with you. The study Centre will have to return the assignments to you after they are evaluated. Please insist on this. The study Centre has to send the marks to the SR&E Division at IGNOU, New Delhi. Some Tips for Doing Assignments You will find it useful to keep the following points in mind while doing the assignments: 1) Planning: Read the assignments carefully; go through the units on which they are based. Make some points regarding each question and then rearrange them in a logical order. 2) Organization: Be selective and analytical before drawing up a rough outline of your answer. Give adequate attention to the introduction and conclusion. 3) Presentation: Once you are satisfied with your answer, you can write down the final version for submission. Write each answer neatly and underling the points you with to emphasize. Make sure that the answer is within the stipulated word limit. Wishing you all the best, Faculty of Sociology MA Sociology Faculty of Sociology School of Social Sciences IGNOU Delhi 110 068 2 Indira Gandhi National Open University Core Course in Sociology MSO-001: Sociological Theories and Concepts Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA) Programme Code: MSO Course Code: MSO-001 Assignment Code: MSO-001/AST/TMA/2021-22 Maximum Marks: 100 Weightage: 30% Answer any five questions selecting at least two from each of the sections.

4 Your answers should be in about 500 words each. Marks Section-I 1. Discuss the contribution of Levi-Strauss and Edmund Leach to the understanding of social structure. 20 2. Delineate the role of Concept and Theory in sociological analysis. 20 3. Examine the distinction between Marxian and Weberian ideologies. 20 4. What is power? Discuss the instruments of power. 20 5. What is entrepreneurship? Explain the perspective of Schumpeter on entrepreneurship. 20 Section-II 6. What is modernity? Discuss Giddens concept of modernity. 20 7. What is citizenship? Discuss its various types. 20 8. Explain the roles and functions of civil society in a democracy. 20 9. Compare and contrast post-structuralism and post-modernism. 20 10. Discuss the elements of caste in gender stratification. 20 3 Indira Gandhi National Open University Core Course in Sociology MSO-002: Research Methodologies and Methods Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA) Programme Code : MSO Course Code : MSO-002 Assignment Code: MSO-002/AST/TMA/2021-22 Maximum Marks : 100 Weightage : 30% Answer questions from both the sections.

5 Marks Section A Answer any two of the following questions 1. What is empiricism? Discuss with reference to the contribution of David Hume. 25 2. What is ethnography? In what way does it differ from survey research? 25 3. Critically examine the nature and scope of comparative method in social science research. 25 4. Discuss the participatory approach to social research. 25 5. Explain the historical method of research in social sciences. 25 Section-B Write a research report on any one of the following topics in about 3000 words. 1. Role of the State in a pandemic situation. 50 2. Role of youth in contemporary Indian society. 50 3. Significance of online education in India. 50 You can write this report based either on review of literature, or data collected from the primary sources. For review of literature you are to select either two books or four research articles published recently on the selected topic of your choice.

6 Write a review article focusing on the location of the study , methodology followed and the main findings of these studies. For the primary source you are to collect two case studies and write a report on the selected topic in a comparative framework. While writing the report spell out clearly the objectives and the problems of the study and problematise the issue within the existing/available literature, elaborate your observations, finding and conclusion coherently, and make proper referencing at the end. 4 Indira Gandhi National Open University Core Course in Sociology MSO-003: Sociology of Development Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA) Programme Code: MSO Course Code: MSO-003 Assignment Code: MSO-003/AST/TMA/2021-22 Maximum Marks: 100 Weightage: 30% Answer any five questions selecting at least two from each of the sections. Your answers should be in about 500 words each. Marks Section -I 1. Differentiate between the terms growth, development and modernisation.

7 20 2. Critically evaluate the historical stage perspective on modernisation 20 3. What is the relationship between Gender and Development? Discuss. 20 4. Critically evaluate the liberal perspective on development. 20 Section-II 5. Critically evaluate the extent of digital divide in India. 20 6. Write a note on ICT Revolution in India. 20 7. Explain the main features of globalisation. 20 8. Examine the concerns of developing countries regarding trade liberalisation. 20 5 Indira Gandhi National Open University Masters in Sociology MSO-004: Sociology in India Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA) Programme Code: MSO Course Code: MSO-004 Assignment Code: MSO-004/AST/TMA/2021-22 Maximum Marks: 100 Weightage: 30% Answer any five question selecting at least two from each Section. Your answer should be in about 500 words each. Section-I 1. Discuss critically the three approaches to study Indian society and culture by the western scholars in Pre-Independent India.

8 20 2. Describe the emergence of Sociology as a discipline in India. 20 3. During the nineteen fifties and sixties the major focus of Indian sociologists was village India. Discuss critically. 20 4. With education and urbanisation the nature and pattern of marriages in India has changed. Discuss critically. 20 5. Describe the agrarian class structure in rural India. 20 Section-II 6. What do you understand by Common Property Resources ? Discuss keeping in mind the villages in India. 20 7. What was the role played by the tribal population in India during the freedom struggle? Discuss. 20 8. What is social differentiation and how does social differentiation take place amongst the tribes in India. 20 9. What is migration? Can you identify some of the patterns of migration found in India? Discuss. 20 10. Distinguish between old Social Movement and the New Social Movement. 20